Fluid distribution system

ABSTRACT

A fluid distribution system including a main conduit and one or more branch conduits communicating therewith, each of the branch conduits having at least one normally closed nozzle with a solenoid actuated valve, the solenoids being connected by means of a circuit through a timer to an associated source of electrical power together with an aerosol container containing a pressurized fluid and connected to the main conduit so that the conduits are filled with the pressurized fluid under equilibrium conditions with the container contents whereby periodic actuation of the solenoids is obtained simultaneously through the timer for opening all of the nozzles simultaneously to spray areas adjacent the nozzles with a quantity of the fluid.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 3,039,536 6/1962 Moore et 169/37 3,488,000 l/l970 Cramer............................. 239/70 X Primary Examiner-John J. Love Attorney, Agent, or FirmLarry Harold Kline [57] ABSTRACT A fluid distribution system including a main conduit and one or more branch conduits communicating therewith, each of the branch conduits having at least one normally closed nozzle with a solenoid actuated FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Inventor: Grady W. Query, 3534 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC. 28205 Mar. 27, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 455,080

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No 373,879, June 26,

1973, abandoned.

United States Patent Query [22] Filed:

l l i l valve, the solenoids being connected by means of a circuit through a timer to an associated source of electrical power together with an aerosol container containing a pressurized fluid and connected to the main conduit so that the conduits are filled with the pressurized fluid under equilibrium conditions with the container contents whereby periodic actuation of the solenoids is obtained simultaneously through the timer for opening all of the nozzles simultaneously to spray areas adjacent the nozzles with a quantity of the fluid.

11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 JUNCTION BOX FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM This application is a continuation-in-part of the application entitled INSECTICIDE APRAY SYSTEM, Ser. No. 373,879, filed by the applicant herein on June 26, 1973, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apray systems and more particularly to such a system for periodically spraying specific quantities of pressurized fluid throughout an area.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART It has been proposed in the past to utilize a permanently installed system of conduits such as pipes or the like having nozzles connected thereto for spraying areas with a suitable fluid such as a disinfectant, a deordorant, an insecticide or the like. While some degree of success has been obtained with such prior art systems, they have not only been expensive to install and maintain but accurate control of the quantity of material aprayed to the desired degree has not been obtained with resultant waste and/or the spraying of inadequate quantities of material. Furthermore, the construction of some prior art systems has resulted in a failure to adequately cover the area with the aprayed material.

One type of such present day spray system has been utilized to spray insecticide in areas such as dairy barns, food processing plants and the like for extermination of insects of the type which are a source of contamination, annoyance, disease, etc. While such insecticides are generally effective in insect extermination, there is always the problem of spraying a precise amount of insecticide within critical limits so that no more or less of insecticide is sprayed than necessary. As has been recognized, less than the desired amount of insecticide results in inadequate extermination and an excess of insecticide results in contamination of the area or of the goods sprayed.

It has also been proposed in the past to utilize insecticide containers containing a measured volume of insecticide, the containers being emptied during each spray cycle and replaced after the spraying operation. It has even been proposed to utilize containers of the aerosol type containing a single dosage of insecticide packaged in the well known insecticide-gaseous propellant mixture so that evacuation of the mixture in the aerosol container provides the desired measured volume to be sprayed through the nozzles in the distribution system. An example of such a system is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,614,841 entitled EXTERMINATION METHOD issued on Oct. 26, 1971 to the applicant herein.

In such prior insectidide distribution systems where specific dosages of insecticide must be dispensed periodically, the requirement for dispensing a precise amount of insecticide has presented a number of limitations. For instance, to provide a measured volume of insecticide during each spraying operation, the container must be replaced or refilled during each operation. In addition, subsequent to each spraying operation, the distribution system is substantially emptied of insecticide and each subsequent spraying operation means that the conduits forming the system must be refilled before the actual spraying through the nozzles is accomplished. This means that air can enter the system following each spraying operation which must be evacuated further interfering with the efficiency of the spraying operation.

Furthermore, for effective use of the gaseous propellant in the mixture during spraying, the full force of the propellant should be behind the liquid insecticide and in such present day systems, there is a tendency of the propellant to flow back from the nozzles in the conduits with an attendant reduction in pressure at the nozzles and a resulting weak spray of insecticide. It can further be easily seen that in such present day systems, the amount of labor required for container replacement, valve actuation, etc. imposes a considerable burden in the operation of such systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the objects of this invention and other related objects are accomplished by providing a main conduit and at least one branch conduit connected at one end to the main conduit and having a closed other end with at least one normally closed spray nozzle connected to the branch conduit. An aerosol container containing a pressurized fluid is provided with an outlet which is connected to the main conduit to fill the main conduit and branch conduit with the pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid in the conduits is maintained under equilibrium conditions with the pressurized fluid in the container. Means are provided for opening the nozzle to spray an area adjacent thereto and timing means are operatively associated with the nozzle opening means for periodically opening the nozzle for a selected timed interval to spray a specific quantity of pressurized fluid within the adjacent area.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel spray system utilizing an aerosol container which permits the system to be completely filled with a pressurized fluid so as to maintain the system under equilibrium aerosol conditions during periodic spraying operations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel spray system having nozzles for spraying a pressurized fluid which are automatically actuated for periodic timed intervals or in response to a condition sensing device in a manner characteristic of an aerosol container.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel insecticide spray system in which an aerosol type insecticide-gaseous propellant mixture is maintained throughout the system under equilibrium pressurized conditions so that the insecticide is efficiently and uniformly sprayed in precisely controlled amounts through the nozzles during each spraying operation.

This invention further contemplates a provision of a new and novel insecticide spray system which is capable of prolonged operation without replenishment while dispensing through nozzles specific dosages of insecticide in selected areas automatically, which permits easy evacuation of entrapped air in the system prior to each replenishment operation and which permits various portions of the system to be disconnected for spraying selected areas only.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel spray system utilizing an aerosol container and a plurality of conduits having nozzles for spraying areas of any selected breadth with a pressurized fluid of any of a wide variety of compositions such as fire retardant material, sanatizing fluid, an insecticide or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing and toFIG. I in particular, there is shown a spray system constructed in accordance with the invention which, as will be explained hereinafter, is utilized to spray areas which may be open or within enclosures or both. It should be understood that although the description to follow will be directed to the use of the system for the spraying ofinsecticide, the system is readily adaptable for use in the spraying of any selected pressurized fluid such as a fire retardant fluid. namely Freon, or the like. a sanatizing fluid, etc.

The use of the system for the spraying of an insecticide is in those areas where infestation and contamina tion by insects and the like is to be eliminated.

The system of FIG. I includes a header or main conduit II formed of copper tubing or the like which may be of any selected length in accordance with the extent of the area to be sprayed. As can be understood, one end Ila of the main concuit is arranged to be detachably connected by means such as an adapter I2 to the outlet 13a of a container and, in particular, an aerosol cylinder I3 containing a pressurized fluid such as a selected mixture of an insecticide and a gaseous propellant in the well known manner. The other end Nb of the main conduit II is arranged to be suitably closed by means of a fitting or the like.

At least one branch conduit I I, which may be similarly constructed of copper tubing or the like, is arranged to be connected at one end 14a to the main conduit II in communication therewith, two of such conduits I4, I4 being shown in FIG. I and having like numerals to identify like parts. As shown, the branch conduits I4, I4 have ends 14a and Ma connected to the main conduit II in spaced relationship.

It should be understood that as many branch conduits as desired may be utilized depending on the extent of the area to be sprayed and the areas to be sprayed may be either open spaces or areas within enclosures such as enclosures Io, I6 shown inibroken lines in FIG. I in association with the branch conduits I4, I4 respectively. The other ends I ib, I419 of the conduits I41, I4 respectively are closed preferably by means of manually operated valves I7, I7 respectively, The valves 117. I7 are bleed valves for a purpose to be explained hereinafter and are normally maintained in the closed condition.

At least one normally closed, spray nozzle is positioned on each of the branch conduits and preferably a plurality of normally closed nozzles I8, I8 are provided on the branch conduits I4, II respectively in spaced relationship in accordance with the exent of the area to be sprayed. It should be understood that the nozzles I8, I8 are similar in construction and that the description to follow will be directed to one of such nozzles.

Means are provided for opening the normally closed nozzles I8, 18 for spraying an area adjacent the nozzles and, in the preferred embodiment, the nozzles I8,

Q 18 are solenoid valve operated each being provided with such a valve 21, 21' as shown bestin FIG. 2. The solenoid valves 21, 2I are of conventional construction and, in the deenergized eonditionof the solenoid, normally interrupt the communication between the branch conduits I4, I 4 and thenozzles 18, I8. Means are provided for opening the nozzles 18, 18 for spraying the adjacent areas and, in the specific embodiment,

circuit means are provided which include main conductors 22 and branch conductors 23 for connecting the solenoids in each of the valves 2I, 21 to an associated" branch conductors 23, 23 and the valve solenoids 21,

21 is facilitated by the provision of junction boxes 28, 28' respectively.

The system of the invention includes condition responsive means such as timing means operatively associated with the nozzle opening means or solenoid actuated valves 2I, 21 for periodically opening the nozzles I8, 118 for a selected timed interval to spray a specific quantity of pressurized fluid or dosage of insecticide within the adjacent areas. More specifically, a timer 3I of conventional construction is connected within the circuit means and, in the illustrated embodiment, be-

tween the main conductors '22 and the associated source of electrical power 24. As can be understood,

the setting on the timer 31 determines when and for v how long current will flow from the power source 24 to 1 the solenoids of the valves 21, 21. Thus, with actuation of the solenoids of the valves 2I, 2I, the nozzles I3, I3 actuated for a spraying operation for aselected timed interval in accordance with the precise amount of insecticide to be sprayed.

Preferably, a switch 32 is included inthe circuit means for connecting the entire system to theassoci atedsource of electrical power 24 for bypassing the.

timer III and permitting the system to be manually operated. Where the system is adapted to spray a fire retardant or fire extinguishing fluid supplied by the container 3I, condition responsive devices such as thermal relays T, T are preferably provided within the enclosures I6, I6 respectively. The thermal relays T, T may be connected by means of secondary branch conductors 38, 38, junction boxes 39, 39 and secondary main conductors 40 to switch 32. Thus, the thermal relays T,

T, when actuated and simularly to the manual switch 32, connect the entire system to the associatedsource' of electrical power 24 to bypass the timer 31.

The main conduit II is also provided with a check valve 33 by means of which one-way flowonly of the pressurized fluid from the container I3 to the branch circuits I4, I4 is obtained. Also, a valve 34 is provided in the main conduit 11 adjacent the end Ila for closing the main conduit II to permit connection of a full container I3 when replenishment is to be accomplished.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION When the systeni of FIG. I is to be prepared for operation, and with th evalve 34% in the closed position, a

connection is made between the outlet Il3a of afull container 13 and the adapter 12 on the main conduit 11. The bleed valves l7, 17 as well as valve 34 are opened so that pressurized fluid such as the insecticidegaseous propellant mixture flows from the container 13 through the main conduit 11 and into the branch conduits 14, 14' toward the branch conduit ends 14b, 1412' respectively. With the bleed valves in the open position, air which may be entrapped within the branch conduits is therefore forced out and as soon as escaping fluid is detected, the valves 17, 17 are closed.

As the pressurized fluid or insecticide-gaseous propellant mixture flows out of the container 13 into the main conduit 11 and subsequently in to the branch conduits 14, 14', all of the conduits are filled with the mixture and the mixture in the conduits is maintained under equilibrium conditions with the mixture in the container 13. Thus, the entire system constitutes an aerosol-type container ready for operation. Under the control of the timer 31, all of the solenoids in the valves 21, 21 are simultaneously energized to simultaneously open all of the valves with spraying simultaneously for the timed interval through all of the nozzles 18, 18.

The circuit means incorporated in the system of the invention also preferably includes switch means such as a switch 36 in each branch circuit 23, switch 36 being provided for branch circuit 23'. A valve 37 is also provided in the branch circuit 14, valve 37 being provided in branch circuit 14 for interrupting the flow of the mixture into the conduits 14, 14 respectively. Therefore, in the event that spraying in one or more selected areas is not desired, for instance, in enclosure 16, switch 36 and valve 37 are moved to the off or closed position for disconnecting conductors 23 and conduit 14 from the power source 24 and the main conduit 11 respectively thereby eliminating that branch circuit from the spraying operation while the spraying operation is carried out in the other branch conduits.

When the fluid to be sprayed comprises an insecticide-gaseous propellant mixture, the system of the invention preferably includes at least one labyrinth trap in the interior of one or more of the conduits such as branch conduit 14 to prevent flow-back of the gaseous propellant in the branch conduit. Such a trap is shown in FIG. 3 and is designated generally by the numeral 41. One or more such traps may be utilized throughout the system in accordance with the design characteristics of the system.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the labyrinth trap 41 preferably includes a downwardly extending, first plate 42 secured to the upper portion of the inner wall 14c of the branch circuit 14, the plate 42 having a lower edge 42a disposed in spaced relationship with the lower portion of the branch circuit inner wall 14c. The trap 41 also includes an upwardly extending second plate 43 secured to the lower portion of the branch circuit inner wall 140 in longitudinally spaced relationship with the first plate 42 and having an upper edge 43a disposed in spaced relationship with the upper portion of the branch circuit inner wall 140.

Thus, the liquid insecticide, designated by the letter I flows under the edge 42a of plate 42 and over edge 43a of plate 43 forming a seal with the plates 42, 43 to preventflovvback of the propellant designated generally a. a main conduit through which said combination may flow;

b. a plurality of branch conduits through which said combination may flow connected to said main conduit at one end and closed at the other end;

c. a plurality of spray nozzles connected on each of said plurality of branch conduits;

d. a plurality of valve means, one on each of said plurality of spray nozzles, operable to control flow of said combination through each of said plurality of spray nozzles;

e. flow control means for introducing said combination of a-liquicl and a gas into said main conduit and thereby to said plurality of branch conduits including a supply source, and for maintaining said combination of a liquid and a gas in similar proportions in said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits as it is in said supply source; and

f. condition responsive means operative to respond to a pre-determined condition by opening a pre-determined number of said plurality of valve means thereby allowing flow of said combination of liquid and gas through a pre-determined number of said plurality of spray nozzles.

2. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said combination of liquid and gas is a fire retardent.

3. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means further comprises a check valve on said main conduit located near said supply source whereby flow of said liquid back into said supply source is prevented.

4. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of branch conduits are closed at said other end by a normally closed valve which is operable to be opened when said combination of a liquid and a gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.

5. A distribution system according to claim 2 wherein said condition responsive means comprises a plurality of thermal relays controlling said plurality of valve means and thereby controlling flow of said combination of liquid and gas through each of said plurality of spray nozzles.

6. A distribution system according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of branch conduits are closed at said other end by a normally closed valve which is operable to be opened when said combination of a liquid and a gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.

7. A distribution system according to claim 5 wherein said flow control means further comprises a check valve on said main conduit located near said supply source whereby flow of said liquid back into said supply v source is prevented.

gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.

9. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means further comprises a plurality of trap means located in the interior of said plurality of branch conduits and operative to prevent the flow-back of said mixture of liquid and gas.

10. A distribution system according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of valve means comprises a plurality of solenoid actuated valves, a plurality of circuit means for connecting said plurality of solenoid actua timing means is located in said plurality of circuit means for periodically energizing said plurality of solenoid actuated valves in order to allow flow of said combination of liquid and gas to said plurality of nozzles.

ll. A distribution system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of circuit means includes a plurality of switches operatively associated with all of the plurality of solenoid actuated valves in each of said plurality of branch conduits for disconnecting the plurality of solenoid actuated valves in a selected branch conduit from said source of electrical power and a valve in each of said plurality of branch conduits for interrupting the flow of said combination of liquid and gas between a selected branch conduit and said main conduit. 

1. A distribution system for a combination of liquid and gas comprising: a. a main conduit through which said combination may flow; b. a plurality of branch conduits through which said combination may flow connected to said main conduit at one end and closed at the other end; c. a plurality of spray nozzles connected on each of said plurality of branch conduits; d. a plurality of valve means, one on each of said plurality of spray nozzles, operable to control flow of said combination through each of said plurality of spray nozzles; e. flow control means for introducing said combination of a liquid and a gas into said main conduit and thereby to said plurality of branch conduits including a supply source, and for maintaining said combination of a liquid and a gas in similar proportions in said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits as it is in said supply source; and f. condition responsive means operative to respond to a predetermined condition by opening a pre-determined number of said plurality of valve means thereby allowing flow of said combination of liquid and gas through a pre-determined number of said plurality of spray nozzles.
 2. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said combination of liquid and gas is a fire retardent.
 3. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means furTher comprises a check valve on said main conduit located near said supply source whereby flow of said liquid back into said supply source is prevented.
 4. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of branch conduits are closed at said other end by a normally closed valve which is operable to be opened when said combination of a liquid and a gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.
 5. A distribution system according to claim 2 wherein said condition responsive means comprises a plurality of thermal relays controlling said plurality of valve means and thereby controlling flow of said combination of liquid and gas through each of said plurality of spray nozzles.
 6. A distribution system according to claim 3 wherein said plurality of branch conduits are closed at said other end by a normally closed valve which is operable to be opened when said combination of a liquid and a gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.
 7. A distribution system according to claim 5 wherein said flow control means further comprises a check valve on said main conduit located near said supply source whereby flow of said liquid back into said supply source is prevented.
 8. A distribution system according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of branch conduits are closed at said other end by a normally closed valve which is operable to be opened when said combination of a liquid and a gas is introduced into said main conduit and said plurality of branch conduits by said flow control means whereby any air or vapor trapped within said main conduit or said plurality of branch conduits may be expelled therefrom, thereby permitting a similar proportion of said combination of a liquid and a gas to be established throughout said distribution system.
 9. A distribution system according to claim 1 wherein said flow control means further comprises a plurality of trap means located in the interior of said plurality of branch conduits and operative to prevent the flow-back of said mixture of liquid and gas.
 10. A distribution system according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of valve means comprises a plurality of solenoid actuated valves, a plurality of circuit means for connecting said plurality of solenoid actuated valves to a source of electrical power, and wherein a timing means is located in said plurality of circuit means for periodically energizing said plurality of solenoid actuated valves in order to allow flow of said combination of liquid and gas to said plurality of nozzles.
 11. A distribution system according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of circuit means includes a plurality of switches operatively associated with all of the plurality of solenoid actuated valves in each of said plurality of branch conduits for disconnecting the plurality of solenoid actuated valves in a selected branch conduit from said source of electrical power and a valve in each of said plurality of branch conduits for interrupting the flow of said combination of liquid and gas between a selected branch conduit and said main conduit. 